Obesity in Children

When 10-year-old Esmae Alpert was a preschooler, her father let her eat as much as wanted. But he had concerns about her weight.

"I would give her large portions because as a baby, as a young kid. She loved to eat."

New research suggests a lot of the risk for obesity appears to be set early in life.

"Children who came to kindergarten overweight had four times the risk of becoming obese compared with normal weight kindergarteners," says Dr. Solveig Cunningham.

Researchers at Emory's Rollins School of Public Health followed nearly 8,000 children. Almost half of the kids who were obese at 14 were already overweight when they were 5.

Dr. Dyan Hes is Esmae's pediatrician. She says taking simple healthier steps when children are small is the key to preventing obesity.

"It's so easy to cut calories just by stopping juice in a child's diet, giving low fat milk after two instead of whole milk, getting your kids active. Children should have one hour of physical activity a day."

Esmae and her dad made all those changes.

"Tomatoes, blueberries, cheese sticks, yogurt...." says Esmae.

Her dad is glad he stepped in early to give esmae good eating habits he hopes will last a lifetime.

The study also found that babies born large are at the highest risk of becoming obese by high school.

Our KTVN newsroom often hears from concerned parents about the lice policy in area schools. Students are not sent home if they have lice since it is more of a nuisance than a serious health risk. If you child brings home the bugs, there is a new clinic to help treat the infestation. We take you to Lice Clinics of America – Reno.

Our KTVN newsroom often hears from concerned parents about the lice policy in area schools. Students are not sent home if they have lice since it is more of a nuisance than a serious health risk. If you child brings home the bugs, there is a new clinic to help treat the infestation. We take you to Lice Clinics of America – Reno.

The first treatment to help prevent serious allergic reactions to peanuts may be on the way. A company said Tuesday that its daily capsules of peanut flour helped sensitize children to nuts in a major study.

The first treatment to help prevent serious allergic reactions to peanuts may be on the way. A company said Tuesday that its daily capsules of peanut flour helped sensitize children to nuts in a major study.

While you hope it never happens, it is comforting to know medical professionals are trained to treat a serious heart attack... and quickly. If you think you are experiencing a heart attack or symptoms that may lead to one, it is best to call 911. But then what happens? Renown Health invited Kristen Remington to be part of what’s called a Code STEMI Drill to find out in Health Watch.

While you hope it never happens, it is comforting to know medical professionals are trained to treat a serious heart attack... and quickly. If you think you are experiencing a heart attack or symptoms that may lead to one, it is best to call 911. But then what happens? Renown Health invited Kristen Remington to be part of what’s called a Code STEMI Drill to find out in Health Watch.

Chances are you know someone affected by heart disease and stroke. One person dies every 38 seconds as a result of cardiovascular disease. Knowing your risk can hopefully change that statistic. We sit down with a cardiologist for heart attack prevention tips in tonight's Ask the Doctor.

Chances are you know someone affected by heart disease and stroke. One person dies every 38 seconds as a result of cardiovascular disease. Knowing your risk can hopefully change that statistic. We sit down with a cardiologist for heart attack prevention tips in tonight's Ask the Doctor.

Right now the state is in a fact-finding mission to get more information on overdoses: where they're happening, who they're happening to, and which areas need the most financial help. Most importantly, a recent change in policy will make the reporting process happen faster.

Right now the state is in a fact-finding mission to get more information on overdoses: where they're happening, who they're happening to, and which areas need the most financial help. Most importantly, a recent change in policy will make the reporting process happen faster.